Guest chestersmom Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 My 9 1/2 year old dog recently had a tooth removed due to an abscessed tooth. Prior to his extraction, a pre-op blood test revealed wonderful results except for his thyroid panel. The doctor stated that the results for his T4 read at <0.5 with a range of 0.8-3.5 and his Free T4 resulted in 5 with a range of 8-40. I have researched the topic of hypothyroidism in greyhounds and need help understanding my dogs results. My doctor wants to put him on soloxine but I'm afraid of jumping into long-term medication until I know it is needed. I just don't feel that my vet knows greyhounds that well. I have read that one should not put a greyhound on any thyroid med. unless it has a number of noticeable symptoms and should not rely on test results alone. The only symptom I notice is dry flaky skin. His behavior has not changed;, playful, alert, eats fine, socializes with both people and other dogs etc... As for the abscessed tooth, he recovered well from the extraction (I was a wreck during the entire process-nervous about the anestesia). Now four weeks later the gum line/ tooth on the other side of his mouth is swollen. I brought him back to the vet ( a different fill-in vet b/c my regular vet is at a conference for two weeks). The fill-in vet basically said she did not know what was causing it and to bring him to a dog dentist b/c perhaps it is another abscessed tooth. I am beside myself. The doctor stated that maybe this could be related to the hypothyroidism issue and my dog's immune system. What? I left the vet with meds for inflammation and antibiotics for the possible infection. It has only been four days and the lump/bump is a little smaller. I just don't know what to do! I am so afraid that my dog will need to have another tooth extracted. I am afraid to put him under anestesia again in such a short amount of time. I really feel like I dodged a bullet last time. Please help. I love my dog so much but I am so worried. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest twoskinnydogs Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 (edited) I had something similar happen years ago. Those values look ok for a greyhound from what I know, but have a thyroid panel done at Michigan State before you start meds. Here is a link to MSU's Endocrinology lab http://www.dcpah.msu.edu/sections/endocrinology/ Edited May 6, 2013 by twoskinnydogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Maybe someone here can recommend a good vet in your area? To diagnose hypothyroidism in a greyhound, you want a fT4ed (free T4 by equilibrium dialysis -- not by any other method) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). The other tests aren't adequate, especially for a dog who has had some stress and other illness lately (the abscessed tooth and surgery). Other illness can mess with the test results for thyroid function. fT4ed + TSH help distinguish between "screwed-up test" or "other illness" and genuine hypothyroidism. If he doesn't have any symptoms of hypothyroidism, I wouldn't bother to get those extra tests and I wouldn't put him on soloxine. A tooth abscess isn't related to hypothyroidism and your dog's immune system -- I wouldn't go back to that vet. A tooth abscess results from bacteria. Hugs and best luck with your pupper. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Oh vey--perhaps the suggestion to find a new vet should be acted on. In the meantime you can use this product on the gum line http://www.petkingbrands.com/products/bioteneAntiGel.html I applaud you for doing your research-too bad your vet didn't put forth the same effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Here's a good article about diagnosing hypothyroidism in greyhounds to print out for your vets: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/assets/pdf/hospital/bloodBank/wellness/newsletters/2010/ghwpNewsletterWinter2010.pdf Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chestersmom Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Thank you everyone for all your helpful suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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